Historic Note

Amanda McKay was a key leader in the Women’s (later Woman’s) Missionary Society and penned a history of Portage Residential School. UCArchivesWpg Westminster Fonds 059

Amanda Norris was born in Princeport, Nova Scotia on August 15, 1858. She was the eldest daughter of Matthew Norris and Mary Johnson. Amanda attended Nova Scotia Teacher’s College in 1876, and taught school for two years before marrying Angus Daniel MacKay on November 24, 1879. The couple moved to Neepawa, Manitoba in 1883, and then moved to Portage la Prairie in 1885.

The Portage la Prairie branch of the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society (Western Division) of the Presbyterian Church in Canada was established as a result of her involvement in the “Indian Missionary Society” and the opening of the Portage la Prairie Residential School. The WFMS eventually took over control of the school and the “Indian Missionary Society” became an Auxiliary to the WFMS. She later became the secretary of the Brandon Presbyterial WFMS.

The MacKays moved to Winnipeg in 1893, where they both became heavily involved in Westminster Presbyterian Church. Amanda continued her work in women’s organizations. She served as President of the Winnipeg Presbyterial WFMS from 1904 to 1914,was the first President of the Manitoba Provincial Board in 1914, and was elected Vice President of the Dominion Board in 1917. She became the honourary president of the Winnipeg Presbyterial WFMS after 1920. She was also involved in the Free Kindergarten Association, the House of the Open Door, and its successor, Robertson Memorial Institute, as well as the Red Cross. Amanda Norris MacKay passed away on November 19, 1942.

Scope and Content

The surviving records of Amanda Norris MacKay consist of a typescript history: Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School

Custodial History

The records were transferred from the vertical file. No other information on their provenance is known.

Documentation Digitization

Relevant items in this fonds related to Indian Residential Schools are included in The United Church of Canada Archives Manitoba Northwestern Ontario Conference and All Native Circle Conference 2014 Index of IRS Related Records and were digitized for submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Contact the Archivist for more information.

Language: The records are in English.

Restriction on Access: No restrictions apply.

Accruals: No further accruals are expected.

United Church of Canada ArchivesManitoba Northwestern Ontario & All Native Circle Conferences